Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo had the N-word hurled at them Sunday while presenting an award at the BAFTAs 2026.
As the stars of “Sinners” were presenting the award for best visual effects for “Avatar: Fire and Ashes,” the audience heard a shocking outburst from campaigner John Davidson, who has Tourette syndrome.
Davidson was the inspiration for the BAFTA-nominated film I Swear, which was based on his real life.
Jordan and Lind continued to present despite the awkward moment, and BAFTA host Alan Cumming later apologized.
“You may have noticed some strong language in the background, which may be part of how the film presents itself to some people as it explores the experience of Tourette syndrome,” Cumming told the audience, Variety reported.
“Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a respectful space for everyone.”
Cumming later addressed the incident further, saying, “Tourette syndrome is a disorder, and the tics you heard tonight are involuntary. That means people with Tourette syndrome have no control over their speech.”
“I apologize if I offended you tonight.”
Davidson’s tics could also be heard when he told BAFTA chair Sarah Putt to “shut up you motherfucker” during his introductory speech, and when he shouted “fuck you” at the directors of “Boom,” which won the Children’s and Family Film Award.
Variety reported that Davidson appeared to voluntarily leave the ceremony late in the ceremony.
He is an “invited guest” and BAFTA will not ask him to leave the ceremony under any circumstances, a source told the outlet.
According to the Mayo Clinic, Tourette syndrome is a disorder that involves repetitive movements and unwanted sounds (tics) that cannot be easily controlled.
Tics (“sudden, brief, intermittent movements or sounds”) are the main symptom of Tourette syndrome.
Davidson was the subject of the BBC documentary John’s Not Mad in 1989, when he was 16 years old. This documentary follows his life as he battles severe Tourette syndrome.
He is known as an ambassador for the disease, giving lectures and workshops on Tourette syndrome, for which there is no cure.
